Part 1
Li Wei followed Lin Xue to the small training hall, feeling the Heavenly Shard and scrolls weighing down his robe against his chest. The sect's morning courtyard buzzed with activity: disciples hurried to tasks, and patrols checked barracks after the night's chaos. The System displayed: Energy: 8%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 1, 45%. Task "Prove your worth to the sect within three days": 5% progress. The three days granted by Elder Liu were his only window to master Vortex of Heavenly Light and solidify his position against Wang Zi.
Lin Xue stopped at a wooden building with a simple sign reading "Small Hall." She pressed a jade token to the door, and it creaked open. Inside, the air smelled of old wood and sweat, with battered training dummies standing in the center. Lin Xue locked the door, her gaze sharp.
"You're short on time, Li Wei," she said, crossing her arms. "I'm risking my reputation by letting you in here. Don't make me regret it."
"I won't," Li Wei replied, striving to sound confident. He sensed her growing curiosity about his "secrets" and knew he had to tread carefully. The System highlighted: Chance of betrayal by Lin Xue: 10%. Recommendation: Build trust but don't reveal the artifact.
He pulled out the Vortex of Heavenly Light scroll and placed it on the floor, setting the Heavenly Shard beside it, covered with a cloth. Lin Xue narrowed her eyes, catching the faint glow, but said nothing, taking a position by the door.
"If anyone comes, I'll warn you," she said curtly. "But don't get complacent. Wang Zi's probably already plotting something."
Li Wei nodded and sat, unrolling the scroll. The characters described a technique that created a vortex of spiritual energy, amplifying attacks and accelerating cultivation. With the Heavenly Shard, mastery could be faster, but his low energy was a hurdle. He began breathing to the scroll's rhythm, channeling the shard's warmth to his chest's center. The System updated: "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 25%. Cultivation progress: 46%.
The first minutes of cultivation were grueling—the energy vortex trembled, threatening to collapse. But the shard stabilized the flow, and Li Wei felt the Stage 1 barrier weaken. He was close to a breakthrough but knew rushing could ruin everything. Suddenly, Lin Xue whispered, "Quiet. Footsteps outside."
Li Wei froze, covering the shard. The System highlighted: Chance of detection: 30%. Recommendation: Continue cultivation but be ready to flee. He glanced at Lin Xue, who pressed against the door, listening. The question was whether it was a patrol or Wang Zi's men, and Li Wei knew the answer could cost him everything.
Part 2
Li Wei held his breath, halting cultivation as the footsteps outside grew clearer. Lin Xue pressed against the small training hall's door, her hand resting on her sword's hilt, eyes narrowed as she listened. The System showed: Energy: 10%. Chance of detection: 35%. "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 27%. The Heavenly Shard pulsed faintly under his robe, and Li Wei covered it tightly to hide its glow.
"It's not a patrol," Lin Xue whispered, her voice barely audible. "Too quiet. Probably Wang Zi or his men sneaking around."
Li Wei gritted his teeth, clutching the Vortex of Heavenly Light scroll. If it was Wang Zi, a fight was inevitable, and with his measly 10% energy, he wouldn't last a minute. He scanned the hall: dummies, old mats, a narrow window in the far corner. The window was an escape option, but Lin Xue couldn't cover him if he bolted. The System highlighted: Recommendation: Create a distraction or trust Lin Xue.
"Can you drive them off?" Li Wei whispered, creeping toward her. "Just buy me time."
Lin Xue nodded, her face tense but determined. "Stay here. If I'm not back in a minute, go through the window."
She slipped out silently, and Li Wei heard her voice, cold and commanding: "Who's skulking around? Show yourself, or I'll call an elder!"
The voices outside hesitated, and Li Wei caught Liu Feng's irritated tone: "Lin Xue? Is that you? We're… checking the field. Wang Zi's orders."
Li Wei returned to the scroll, knowing he had only minutes. He resumed breathing, channeling the Heavenly Shard's energy into the vortex. The flow steadied slightly, and he felt the Stage 1 barrier crack. The System updated: Cultivation progress: 48%. "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 30%. The breakthrough was so close, but every sound outside distracted him.
Lin Xue continued arguing with Liu Feng, her voice growing louder, as if deliberately stalling. But then a third voice cut through—sharp, cold. Wang Zi. Li Wei froze, his heart pounding. The System highlighted: Chance of detection: 50%. Wang Zi present. Recommendation: Prepare for combat or escape.
"Enough games, Lin Xue," Wang Zi said, his tone icy. "I know Li Wei's here. Step aside, or you'll regret it."
Li Wei clenched his fists, feeling the Heavenly Shard heat up. Lin Xue was holding her ground, but he knew she couldn't stop PCTool for long. He had to either finish the breakthrough now, risking capture, or flee through the window, losing his chance to grow stronger. He glanced at the dummies, considering a distraction, but time was tightening like a noose. A decision was needed now.
Part 3
Li Wei pressed against the wall of the small training hall, listening to Wang Zi's voice from outside. His heavy, menacing aura seeped through the door's cracks, making the air feel denser. Lin Xue kept arguing, but her voice began to waver under Wang Zi's pressure. The System showed: Energy: 9%. Chance of detection: 60%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 1, 48%. The Heavenly Shard under his robe hummed, as if urging action, but Li Wei knew a breakthrough now was too risky.
"Lin Xue, last warning," Wang Zi said, his tone cold as steel. "Where's Li Wei? I can sense him."
Li Wei gritted his teeth, scanning the hall. The window was the only exit, but jumping through it meant abandoning Lin Xue and losing his cultivation chance. He noticed an old training dummy hanging on chains. If he pushed it, the noise might distract Wang Zi and buy Lin Xue time. The System highlighted: Chance of successful distraction: 50%. Recommendation: Act quickly.
He crept to the dummy, avoiding creaky floorboards, and shoved it. The chain clinked, and the dummy swung, hitting the wall with a dull thud. The voices outside fell silent, and Li Wei heard Liu Feng bark, "There! In the hall!"
Lin Xue seized the moment: "It's just the wind! Wang Zi, you're wasting my time. Go check the barracks if you're so desperate to find him."
Li Wei returned to the scroll, knowing this was his last chance. He sat, gripping the Heavenly Shard, and resumed breathing to the Vortex of Heavenly Light's rhythm. The energy vortex in his chest spun faster, and the Stage 1 barrier began to crumble. The System updated: Cultivation progress: 50%. "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 35%. His body trembled with effort, but the breakthrough was within reach.
The hall's door crashed open, and Wang Zi's aura flooded in like a storm. Li Wei's eyes snapped open, his heart stopping. Lin Xue stood in the doorway, blocking the path, but Wang Zi pushed her aside, his gaze locking onto Li Wei.
"No more games," Wang Zi growled, clenching his fists. "You thought you could hide?"
Li Wei leapt up, hiding the shard under his robe. His energy was too low for a fight, but Wind Step could get him to the window. Lin Xue drew her sword, her voice sharp: "Wang Zi, you're breaking the rules! Elder Liu will hear of this!"
Wang Zi ignored her, stepping toward Li Wei. The System blared: Chance of survival: 20%. Recommendation: Use the shard to enhance the technique. Li Wei realized retreat was impossible. He gripped the shard, preparing for a desperate move, and channeled his remaining energy into Vortex of Heavenly Light, hoping the technique would give him a chance. This was the moment when everything could either collapse or soar.
Part 4
Li Wei faced Wang Zi, whose aura pressed down like a landslide. The small training hall felt cramped under his presence, and Wang Zi's eyes burned with cold fury. Lin Xue held her sword ready, but her stance betrayed uncertainty—even she knew they had little chance against Wang Zi at Mortal Realm, Stage 5. The System showed: Energy: 7%. Chance of survival: 20%. "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 37%. The Heavenly Shard in Li Wei's hand pulsed, its warmth the only thing keeping panic at bay.
"You thought you could steal and hide?" Wang Zi growled, his fists glowing faintly gold—a sign of Iron Fist. "Hand over what you took, or I'll crush you here."
Li Wei clutched the shard, feeling its energy respond. Running to the window was too late—Wang Zi would intercept him in two steps. Lin Xue stepped forward, her sword flashing, but Li Wei stopped her with a gesture.
"Lin Xue, stay out of this," he whispered, his voice tense. "This is between us."
She frowned but stepped back, keeping her sword ready. Li Wei channeled his remaining energy into Vortex of Heavenly Light, using the Heavenly Shard to amplify it. The vortex in his chest spun, and he felt strength surge despite his exhaustion. The System highlighted: Cultivation progress: 52%. Temporary boost from shard: +10% to attack.
"I didn't steal anything," Li Wei said, meeting Wang Zi's eyes. "But if you want a fight, try me."
Wang Zi smirked and lunged, his gold-wreathed fist aiming for Li Wei's chest. Li Wei activated Wind Step, dodging at the last second. Wang Zi's fist smashed the dummy behind him into splinters. Li Wei, using the momentum, struck with Vortex of Heavenly Light, unleashing a swirling wave of energy. It grazed Wang Zi's shoulder, leaving a scratch but forcing him back.
"Not bad," Wang Zi hissed, his smile widening. "But it's not enough."
He attacked again, and Li Wei felt his energy plummet: Energy: 4%. Lin Xue shouted, "Li Wei, the window! Run!"
But Li Wei knew running would only delay the inevitable. He gripped the shard tighter, pouring its power into a new vortex. The System flashed: Critical moment: Chance of breakthrough to Mortal Realm, Stage 2—30%. He channeled all his energy into the technique, feeling the barrier shatter. The vortex erupted, blasting Wang Zi into the wall, and Li Wei collapsed to his knees, gasping. The System blared: Breakthrough achieved! Mortal Realm, Stage 2. Energy restored to 20%.
Wang Zi rose, his robe torn, his face twisted with rage. But before he could attack, a loud voice boomed from outside: "What is going on here?!"
Elder Liu entered the hall, his aura freezing everyone in place. Li Wei knew his fate now hung by a thread.
Part 5
Li Wei knelt, breathing heavily, as Elder Liu's aura filled the small training hall. His breakthrough to Mortal Realm, Stage 2, had granted a surge of strength, but his body still trembled from exhaustion. The Heavenly Shard under his robe burned hot, and the Vortex of Heavenly Light and Stellar Wind Flow scrolls felt heavier than lead. The System showed: Energy: 18%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 2, 0%. Task "Prove your worth to the sect within three days": 20% progress. Wang Zi, standing by the wall, wiped blood from his lips, his gaze seething with fury, but Liu's aura silenced him.
"Explain yourselves," Liu roared, his eyes darting between Li Wei, Wang Zi, and Lin Xue. "Why are you fighting in the training hall without permission? Wang Zi, you were tasked with maintaining order, not disrupting it!"
Wang Zi bowed his head, but his voice dripped with venom: "Elder, Li Wei is a thief and a rebel. I caught him here, stealing a technique. He attacked first."
Li Wei clenched his jaw, sensing Lin Xue tense beside him. She could back his story, but it would put her at risk. The System highlighted: Chance of convincing Liu: 50%. Recommendation: Use your breakthrough and Huang's support. Li Wei stood, striving to appear confident despite his weakness.
"Elder Liu," he said, his voice hoarse but firm, "Wang Zi is lying. I was cultivating here with Lin Xue's permission, mastering a technique approved by Master Huang. Wang Zi attacked me, trying to sabotage my efforts for the sect. My breakthrough to Mortal Realm, Stage 2, proves my dedication."
The hall fell silent, and even Wang Zi froze, his eyes narrowing. Lin Xue stepped forward, her voice cold: "I confirm Li Wei's words. He was under my supervision. Wang Zi barged in without cause, threatening us both."
Liu narrowed his eyes, his aura pressing harder, but Li Wei held his gaze. The System updated: Chance of success: 60%. The elder turned to Wang Zi. "You're too reckless, Wang Zi. If Li Wei speaks the truth, your actions disgrace the sect." He looked at Li Wei. "You mentioned Huang. I'll speak with him. If your claims hold, you'll avoid punishment. But if not… those three days will be your last."
Wang Zi clenched his fists but stayed silent. Liu waved a hand, ordering everyone to leave the hall. Lin Xue helped Li Wei out, her gaze a mix of relief and worry.
"You pulled through," she whispered once they were clear. "But Wang Zi won't stop, and Huang will dig deeper. What will you show him in two days?"
Li Wei clutched the shard under his robe, feeling its warmth. The breakthrough gave him strength, but it wasn't enough. He looked at Lin Xue, weighing how much he could trust her. "I'll find a way," he said. "But I need your help. Can you find out what Wang Zi's planning?"
She nodded, but her eyes were serious. "Only if you stop hiding what you have. I'm not a fool, Li Wei."
He stayed silent, knowing his time for secrets was running out. The System flashed: Task "Prove your worth to the sect": 25% progress. Two days, Wang Zi, Huang—they were all waiting for his next move. Li Wei knew every choice now would decide whether he'd rise or fall.